Locking hinge assembly

ABSTRACT

A locking hinge assembly ( 32 ) has first and second hinge members ( 38, 40 ) having a respective hinge section ( 50, 51 ), proximate wall ( 46, 47 ) and mounting flange section ( 42, 43 ) for mounting on respective first and second panels ( 24, 26 ). The first and second hinge members are pivotably connected together at the hinge sections and are pivotably movable between a first position and a second position. The mounting flange section ( 42 ) has a channel ( 54 ) extending along the proximate wall section ( 48 ) for slidably receiving a locking member ( 56 ). The locking member ( 56 ) has at least one locking flange ( 60 ) extending through aligned apertures in the proximate walls. The locking flange has a hook section ( 62 ) at a distal end such that when the locking member slides to a locking position, the hook section engages a proximate wall to lock the hinge members in the first position.

This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/178,770 filed Jul. 11, 2005.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field of this invention relates to a lockable hinge for a floorpanel system for use in motor vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Stowable seats in motor vehicles have long been a desired feature inmotor vehicles where the seats in the second and third row may fold downto form a flat cargo floor in order to easily receive and maneuver largepieces of cargo.

Recent developments have provided stowable seats that are stowed underthe cargo area and covered by a flat panel system to provide the flatcargo floor. The flat panel system is also used as a floor surface forpassengers' feet when the seats are deployed to their upright seatingposition. The flat panel system is made from a plurality of panelspivotably connected together to move between a flat closed position anda folded up open position. The cargo space under the panel system isusable as cargo storage space for other items when the seats aredeployed in the upright seating position. A flat panel system can alsobe referred to as a stow-to-floor seat assembly door.

One needs to open the panels to access the cargo space. Hence, the areaabove the panels must be free from obstruction, for example free frominterference of another seat or center consul to allow room for thepivoting panels to freely operate in their intended fashion. In previoussystems, either the entire motor vehicle needed to be extended toprovide the necessary clearance for the panels or certain seats neededto be moved to a certain position to allow the panels to freely movebetween open and closed positions.

Cargo space access needs to be convenient in order for the consumer touse the space in its intended fashion. Thus any interference or obstacleintroduced by a movable seat or a seat track will limit the use of thecargo area. It is desirable to access the cargo area independent of anyfore and aft adjustment of seats. Previous cargo panel systems werefeely operational only if the front seats were in a forward position.

What is needed is an improved panel system that can be adaptable to besubstantially opened independent of any position of an adjacent seat forease of access to the under panel cargo space. What is also needed is acargo panel that has a hinge that can be either in a locked or releaseposition. What is also needed is a lockable hinge in which the lockmechanism is substantially concealed under the panels.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a locking hinge assemblypivotably connects first and second panels. The hinge assembly has afirst and second hinge member with respective mounting flange sectionsfor mounting respective first and second panels at the bottom sides ofthe panels. Proximate wall sections of the first and second hinge memberextend between the first and second panels and extend toward oppositeupper sides of the panels. Hinge sections of the first and second hingemembers engage each other between the two panels in proximity to theopposite upper sides for providing pivotal motion of one panel withrespect to the other panel. A mounting flange section of the first hingemember has a recessed channel under the bottom side of the respectivepanel.

A locking bar is slidably mounted between a locking position and arelease position in the channel. The proximate wall section of the firsthinge member has at least one respective aperture therethrough thatreceives at least one locking flange of the locking bar. The proximatewall of the second hinge member has locking surfaces axially spacedthere along and release spaces interposed therebetween. Each lockingflange has a distal lock section that is slidable between a releaseposition to be aligned with the respective release spaces of theproximate wall section to allow the hinge members to pivotably move withrespect to one another and a lock position misaligned from the releasedspaces and engagable with the locking surfaces to lock the first hingemember to the second hinge member.

To help prevent rattling within the channel, the locking bar preferablyhas protrusions that extend downward from bar and the upper surface ofthe bar abuts against the bottom side of the first panel.

It is also preferable that the locking bar has a width thatsubstantially extends across the entire width of the channel. A leafspring mounted is preferably installed under the bar to bias the bar toabut the bottom side of the first panel. It is preferable that therelease spaces are in the form of apertures to allow the distal locksection to pass through the apertures and lock the hinge assembly whenthe panels are planar with respect to each other. The distal locksection is in the form of a hook to engage the proximate wall of thesecond hinge member at an opposing surface from the first hinge member.In one embodiment, the locking bar extends substantially the length ofthe hinge and has a handle at one end thereof.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a locking hingeassembly has first and second hinge members having a respective hingesection, proximate wall, and mounting flange section for mounting onrespective first and second panels. The first and second hinge membersare pivotably connected together at the hinge sections and are pivotablymovable between a first position and a second position. The mountingflange section has a channel extending along the proximate wall sectionfor slidably receiving a locking member. The locking member has at leastone locking flange extending through aligned apertures in the proximatewalls. The locking flange has a hook section at a distal end such thatwhen the locking member slides to a locking position, the hook sectionengages a proximate wall to lock the hinge members in the firstposition.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a locking hingeassembly has a first hinge member and a second hinge member hingeablyconnected to the first hinge member along a pivot axis for pivotablemotion between a first lockable position and a second position. Thefirst and second hinge member have respective first and second proximatewalls extending from the pivot axis and proximate to each other when inthe first lockable position

At least one aperture is in the first proximate wall aligned with atleast one aperture in the second proximate wall when the hinge assemblyis in the first lockable position. A locking member extends through atleast one of the apertures of the first and second proximate walls andmovable between a lock position to engage the proximate walls of thefirst and second hinge member and a release position where the lockingmember disengages from at least one of the proximate walls and allowsthe hinge assembly to pivot.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a foldable panelassembly for a storage area of motor vehicle has a first panel and asecond panel being connected together along first and second edges ofthe respective panels. A hinge assembly has first and second hingemembers each with a mounting plate mounted to an underside of therespective first and second panel. The first and second hinge memberseach have a respective proximate wall that abuts the first and secondedges of the respective panels extending transversely from the mountingplates. The proximate walls each end with a hinge section that engageseach other to pivotably connect the first panel to the second panel. Thehinge section is in proximity to upper sides of the panels. A lockingbar is slidably mounted to the mounting plate of the first hinge memberunder the first panel for sliding motion along the edges of the firstpanel between a first locking position and a second release position.The mounting plate of the second hinge member has a locking surface forengaging a flange of the locking bar when in the first locking positionfor preventing the hinge assembly from pivoting.

In accordance to another aspect of the invention, a stow-to-floor seatassembly door has a first panel pivotably connected relative a secondpanel by a first hinge. A third panel is pivotably connected relativethe second panel by a locking hinge. Pivotable movement of the secondpanel relative the third panel is restricted when the locking hinge isin a locked state. The third panel is pivotably connected to a vehiclefloor by a second hinge to permit unobstructed access to a stowagecavity under the vehicle floor for stowing a collapsible stow-to-floorseat. The locking hinge includes a locking rod and a pivot pin thatconnects a first hinge panel and a second hinge panel. The locking rodtraverses the first hinge panel and the second hinge panel. The lockingrod includes locking tabs that extend through passages formed in thefirst hinge panel and second hinge panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference now is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a motor vehicle interiorillustrating one embodiment of the panel assembly in the closed positionaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is perspective view of the panel assembly shown in FIG. 1 in anintermediate position;

FIG. 3 is view similar to FIG. 2 showing the panel assembly in the firstopen mode with the hinge 32 in the locked position for retrieving andstowing the stowable seat;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the panel assembly in asecond open mode position;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the hinge assembly in the locked position;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the hinge assembly in therelease position;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 7-7 shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged close up view of a hook portion shown in thelocked position;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged close up view of a hook portion shown in therelease position;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 10-10 shown in FIG.5; and

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 showing the lock bar handle in therelease position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIGS. 14, a motor vehicle 10 has front adjustable seats12 and rear stowable seats 14 also referred to as collapsiblestow-to-floor seats. Each seat can be stowed in a cargo space 16 alsoreferred to as a stowage cavity under floor panel assembly 18 alsoreferred to as a stow-to-floor assembly door. The panel assembly 18forms part of a flat cargo area floor 19 when the rear seats 14 arestowed in the cargo space 16 and also form the floor for passengers'feet when the seats 14 are in the deployed upright seating position asshown in FIG. 1. The panel assembly can move between the closed positionshown in FIG. 1, an intermediate position shown in FIG. 2, a first openmode in FIG. 3 or a second open mode shown in FIG. 4.

The panel assembly 18 includes a rear flap 20 and three panels 22, 24,and 26 all connected together with piano hinge assemblies 28, 30, and32. Panel 22 may be referred to as a first panel, panel 24 may bereferred to as a second panel and panel 26 may be referred to as a thirdpanel. Hinge 28 may also be referred to as a flap hinge. Hinge 30 mayalso be referred to as a first hinge and hinge 32 may also be referredto as a locking hinge. The third panel 26 is pivotably connected to afloor rim assembly 34 through hinges 36 which can also be referred tocollectively as a second hinge. The floor rim assembly 34 may also beconsidered part of the vehicle floor 19. The entire panel assembly 18lies flat to form the floor 19 with the hinge 28 completely concealedand hinges 30, 32 mostly concealed with only pivoting hinge sections 39visible between the panels 22, 24, 26.

Reference now is made to FIGS. 5-10 for describing the hinge assembly 32i.e. the locking hinge. Hinge assembly 32 has a first hinge member 38also referred to as a first hinge panel and a second hinge member 40also referred to as a second hinge panel. Each member 38 and 40 hasrespective mounting flanges 42, 43 mounted to the underside 44, 45 ofeach first and second panel 24 and 26. Fasteners or adhesive may be usedto affix the mounting flanges 42 and 43 to the panels 24 and 26. Themounting flanges 42 and 43 each are integrally formed with a proximatewall section 46 and 47. Each section 46 and 47 extends upwardtransversely from the mounting flanges 42, 43 between the two panels 24and 26 and abuts the edges 48 and 49 of the two adjacent panels 24 and26. The hinge section 39 is formed by hinge sections 50 and 51 of member38 and 40 pivotably connected together with a pin member 52 also calleda pivot pin.

Mounting flange section 42 has a channel section 54 spaced from theunderside 44 of the panel to provide for a locking bar 56 to be slidablymovable between a lock position also referred to as a locked state asshown in FIG. 5 and an unlock or release position in FIG. 6. The bar 56has a width that substantially extends across the entire width of thechannel 54, a height that spans substantially the entire distancebetween the channel 54 and underside 44 of panel 24. The height may bemade up by embossments 57 both axially spaced and laterally spaced alongthe bar to contact the channel 54. Leaf springs 58 may be positioned inthe channel 54 under the bar 56 to bias it upward against the underside44 of panel 24. This construction reduces any rattling from the bar 56with respect to its surrounding members and mostly conceals bar 56 fromabove.

The bar has three flanges 60 axially spaced therealong. Each flange 60has a hook section 62. These flanges 60 and hook sections 62 may also bereferred to as locking tabs. Each proximate wall 46 and 47 has alignedapertures 66, 67 that receive the flanges 60 and hook sections 62. Theflanges 60 extend through the apertures 66, 67 and are slidably receivedin channel section 55 of mounting flange 43 of hinge member 40 beneaththe underside 45 of panel 26 such that the locking rod traverses boththe first and second hinge panel. When the bar is in the releaseposition as shown in FIGS. 6 and 11, the hook section 62 and flange 60are free to laterally pass through the apertures 67 also called passagesas the hinge members 38 and 40 pivotably move with respect to eachother. When the bar is moved to the locked position also referred to asthe locked state as shown in FIGS. 5 and 10, the hook abuts theproximate wall 47 at its opposing surface 53 to prevent the hingemembers 38 and 40 from pivotably moving with respect to each other, thuscausing pivotable movement of the second panel relative to the thirdpanel to be restricted.

The bar is moved between its release and locked position by a handle 64that is situated at one end of the bar at a lateral edge of the panelassembly 18. The handle 64 may extend upward to be accessible above thepanels 24 and 26. Alternatively and as shown in the drawings, the handle64 may be located to be received in a recess 70 in rim assembly 34 as itmoves to the release position as shown in FIG. 11. Furthermore, panel 24has a notch 72 to allow handle 64 to slide to the lock position as shownin FIG. 10. With this construction, handle 64 is accessible by anoperator but remains below the floor 19 when the panel 24 is in theclosed position as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 10 and 11. The handle 64 mayhave a rubber or plastic cap 65 thereon that is color coordinated withthe panels 24 and 26. The locking bar may have an orange or other brightcolor indicator section 68 located in proximity to the handle thatbecomes visible at the lateral edge of the panels through notch 72 whenthe handle is in the release position. The color indicates, when visiblethrough notch 72, that the hinge is in the release or second open modeof operation. Conversely, when the section 68 is concealed, the hinge isin the locked or first open mode of operation.

In operation, the panel can open in a first or second open mode. Whenthe handle and locking bar are in the locked position, the hinged panels24 and 26 are locked together as a single panel. When such a lockupoccurs between the panels 24 and 26, they then move as one. When onedesires to deploy or stow the seat 14 from in the cargo space 16, thehinge panels 24 and 26 are preferred to lock together by locked hinge32. The front seat 12 needs to be in a forward position to clear thefront hinge 36. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, after the rear flap 20 andpanel 22 are pivoted to the open position, the combined panels 24 and 26are lifted to the first open mode position to provide unobstructedaccess to the cargo space i.e. stowage cavity. After the seat is eitherstowed or deployed as desired, the process is then reversed and thepanels 24 and 26 close together flat with floor 19. The panel 22 andrear flap 20 are then closed to again achieve the closed position shownin FIG. 1.

It is foreseen that the deployment and storage of the seats 14 are arelatively infrequent occurrence compared to the opening and closing ofthe panel assembly 18 for access to the cargo area 16 for other storagepurposes. For these purposes, it is not necessary to move the frontseats 12 forward to provide access to the cargo space 16. The handle canbe operated to move the bar to the unlock position which allows thepanel 24 to pivot with respect to panel 26, such that upon opening therear flap 20 and first panel 22 as shown in FIG. 2, the panel 24 can bepivoted open while panel 26 remains flat as illustrated in FIG. 4 toachieve a second open mode position. The open panels 22 and 24 alongwith flap 20 can rest over centered against the front seat 12 as theseat 12 may extend rearwardly as illustrated in FIG. 4, over the panel26. Thus, even while the front seats 12 may be in the rear extendedposition and prevent panel 26 from opening at hinge 36, the cargo area16 can be accessed because a substantial portion of the panel assembly18 may be opened in a second mode as shown in FIG. 4.

Panels 22, 24 and 26 may have different widths than the widths shows andthe hinge 32 may be aligned just rearward of the most rearward positionof the front seats to allow the hinge 32 to pivot the panels 22 and 24over center and allow the panels to rest in the open position.

As such, the panel assembly may be opened in one of two modes, one forstoring and deploying the stowable seat and the other for otherwiseaccessing the cargo space 16. The front seats 12 need to be movedforward only when the stowable seats 14 need to be stowed or deployed.Otherwise, the cargo space 16 is accessible regardless of the positionof the front seats 12. Opening of the panel assembly 18 in the secondopen mode greatly increases the convenience and accessibility of thecargo space 16.

Variations and modifications are possible without departing from thescope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

1. A stow-to-floor seat assembly door, comprising: a first panel pivotably connected relative a second panel by a first hinge; a third panel pivotably connected relative the second panel by a locking hinge, wherein pivotable movement of the second panel relative the third panel is restricted when the locking hinge is in a locked state, wherein the third panel is pivotably connected to a vehicle floor by a second hinge to permit unobstructed access to a stowage cavity under the vehicle floor for stowing a collapsible stow-to-floor seat, wherein the locking hinge includes a locking rod and a pivot pin that connects a first hinge panel and a second hinge panel, wherein the locking rod traverses the first hinge panel and the second hinge panel, and wherein the locking rod includes locking tabs that extend through passages formed in the first hinge panel and second hinge panel. 